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[wakingdream]

Wow, so no one's talking about this?

I'm definitely not a sensationalist but let's look at it for what it is. It is pretty serious.

How far has it spread? There are reports of school kids in the US, NZ and Canada that may have contracted it. Asia is now on "high alert". This is a very concerning mutation of flu viruses we're talking about.

What do you guys think about what's happening in Mexico right now? Thoughts, Fears? Opinions? Future predictions?

Anyone in Mexico right now?

[branefatboy]

Im really scared bout this,and im hoping that they will stop it while its not to late.

[raniroo]

The majority of the people in NZ, Canada and US etc have recently returned from a trip in Mexico....and when passed on from human to human it is mutating....I have read that airports are going to start screening travellers from these areas before they enter the country.

I also have read that the World Bank is loaning $102 million to help combat this...

[branefatboy]

and the good thing is that the medicine reacts to the virus

[travelmonster]

okay, hopefully Paula doesn't get struck down by it tomorrow - but I think its just the latest thing that people are going to get into a frenzy about - I remember the TV reports about bird flu - we were all going to get wiped out, people would be dying left, right and centre. One of our newspapers (when we were threatened with the bird flu epidemic) - actually wrote an article telling you to go and stock up on tinned and frozen foods, so that when it struck in full force, you would be able to lock yourselves in your homes and have food to eat - For me personally, I won't and don't worry about it in the least.

I am of course very saddened for people who have been affected by it and their families.

[raniroo]

The reported symptoms are similar to the common flu. They include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

The virus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes around another person. People can become infected by touching something with the flu virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.


I remember the SARS out break too.....i think people particuarly in those areas affected should take precautions, however extreme, to ensure their health is safe.

[starlagurl]

It's very easy to get freaked out about stuff like this because of the likelihood that a devastating disease WILL wipe out a big chunk of the world's population.

The problem is, we just don't know WHEN it will happen. It could be today, it could be in 1,000 years. It's as natural as an earthquake or lightning striking. The best you can do is learn how it spreads and try and protect yourself from it that way.

[wakingdream]

t's very easy to get freaked out about stuff like this because of the likelihood that a devastating disease WILL wipe out a big chunk of the world's population.

The truth is we're due for a pandemic or epidemic. WHO (World health Org) believes this very well could be the next Big One. There's still tons of research to be done.

The 1-3 Pandemic rating means we're assessing and planning. The 4th level is putting those plans into action and putting strict travel restrictions in place. The 5th is, well, let's not go there. The virus could even end up latent for the summer and re-emerge in the fall. Viruses work in very funny ways.

The virus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes around another person.

It is not airborne. You can get contract it only by touching something the virus lives on, and it can live for a long period of time on most objects. Or swapping spit as they say.

There's really no reason to "freak out" but I think it's important to know what's going on and learn about how to protect yourself.

[jeremystravels]

It devastated my stocks this morning thats for sure....

I am not worried. I think the one difference between a pandemic now and a pandemic in 1910 is that the healthcare system has improved immensely in the time since. I think they were saying that there are some 50 million vaccinnes ready to go in the United States with more being produced. Thats enough for about 1 in 6 people.

The fact that, as of right now, cases are not as strong outside of Mexico is also highly encouraging. I just hope it passes on before more people get sick or die.

[mmbcross]

I'm booked for Cancun with the family for the 28th. May. I will be keeping a weather eye on the situation to see what happens. At present I have not cancelled anything. We will have to wait and see.

[bakasyonista]

I received this through email from NYSNA and I'd like to share it with everyone:

Swine Flu - Protecting yourself, your family and your patients.

Over the weekend Governor Patterson activated the State Emergency Preparedness Plan and put New York State on High Alert due to the confirmation of several positive cases of Swine Flu in NYC and across the United States. This activation will allow the State to effectively monitor the situation and respond quickly to any newly reported cases. For information about New York City cases, please see http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/pr2009/pr016-09.shtml.

The swine influenza (H1N1) virus causes a febrile respiratory illness with symptoms similar to the seasonal flu. However, the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) has anticipated that the flu vaccination received for this year will not be effective against this virus. A total of 20 cases have been reported across the United States.

Protecting yourself, your families and your patients from possible infection is the best prevention. Unless further instructions are released from the CDC, infection control actions remain similar to the seasonal flu:

Wash your hands. Since most viral illnesses are transmitted by contact, washing your hands will decrease the spread of illness among your family, colleagues and patients. Encourage children to wash their hands often. Sneeze or cough into a tissue or into your elbow, and instruct others in this method. Never rely totally on antiseptic hand cleansers; they need to be washed off with soap and water periodically to remain effective;
Eat healthy food and take supplemental vitamins as indicated by your provider;
Stay home when you are ill. Keep children home from school to avoid spreading viruses to other in the community.
Caring for individuals in the home or hospital settings requires diligent use of universal precautions. Be certain to follow your facility or agency policy for precautions.
Those patients who present with febrile illness should be considered for swine influenza, especially if they have traveled into Mexico recently or were in contact with persons who had febrile respiratory illness during the7 days preceding their own illness onset.
Clinicians who suspect swine influenza should obtain a nasopharyngeal swab, place the swab in a viral transport medium, refrigerate the specimen and contact their State or local health department to facilitate transportation and timely diagnosis.
Further clinical guidance for laboratory safety, case definition infection control and information for the public can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm.

The CDC has not recommended that travel be avoided but has provided guidance for travelers to remain healthy and reduce their risk of infection at: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluUS.aspx .

Reference Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, 2009, retrieved April 27, 2009 from http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/index.htm

[travelmonster]

I am not worried. I think the one difference between a pandemic now and a pandemic in 1910 is that the healthcare system has improved immensely in the time since. I think they were saying that there are some 50 million vaccinnes ready to go in the United States with more being produced. Thats enough for about 1 in 6 people.

Exactly - it will be contained - just like bird flu/sars and any others that were going to spread like wildfire and kill us all off.

[jeremystravels]

Exactly - it will be contained - just like bird flu/sars and any others that were going to spread like wildfire and kill us all off.

I think one promising sign so far is that, while there are cases in other countries, it seems like everyone that has got it has only received mild cases after returning from Mexico and it has not passed on to others from there.

I find it quite disturbing that there are stories that doctors turned patients away in Mexico who exhibited the symptoms. Way to continue the spread of the disease. I also read an article this morning that says the number of cases reported in hospitals in Mexico has been dropping in the past three days too and that they are pretty much on lock down mode with public transportation disrupted, schools closed, museums closed, and all early may celebrations canceled.

[skylab]

I'm not worried at all. We have other viruses that spread just as fast that don't get any attention and still exist.

[starlagurl]

What viruses are you talking about?

[kitkatgo]

I was worried, living in Southern California, in a city with an extremely large population of hispanic people, many of which are going in and out of Mexico.

I read up on it yesterday, and after doing so, I'm not that worried any more. The only deaths were in Mexico, and they don't really know the extenuating circumstances there (I suspect they were not able to get proper care, or they died of something else).

For me, it's a flu to avoid like any other. The press has just blown it out of proportion like they do many things.

[I admit, that I'm glad some extra precautions have been taken though.]

[wakingdream]

[quote]I find it quite disturbing that there are stories that doctors turned patients away in Mexico who exhibited the symptoms. Way to continue the spread of the disease.[/quote]

What? Really?

[quote]For me, it's a flu to avoid like any other. The press has just blown it out of proportion like they do many things.[/quote]

I dunno, it's not really like any other flu though. It's a very weird mutation. I'm not overly worried right now but I am definitely concerned, if not for myself, for the many people around the world that have and could die from it. I'm pretty sure this is the highest pandemic level we've reached since the ratings were initiated. That's concerning. Plus, you know, six degrees of separation.

CDC experts are saying that just because we're seeing weak cases of the virus, don't expect they'll all be like that. The thing is, we have no idea what will happen, and whatever is going to happen isn't going to happen overnight.

Personally I hate hype but news is news and news channels are just reporting on the biggest story right now that has developments all the time, so it's always news. It can be overwhelming to hear about it all the time though.

[/quote] The only deaths were in Mexico, and they don't really know the extenuating circumstances there (I suspect they were not able to get proper care, or they died of something else).[quote]

This is an interesting point. We were discussing this the other day, with a geneticist. Apparently the extremely diverse cultural makeup of NA has something to do with the virus's effectiveness (for lack of a better word). Think of it as pure blood lines, and pure blood lines are weaker for some reason........

[/quote]I'm not worried at all. We have other viruses that spread just as fast that don't get any attention and still exist[quote]

Yeah, which other viruses?

[visor2040]

Ahoy from Swine Flu Central

So, should you cancel your trips? Yes, there are talks about the timing of the outbreak being the same time that people came back to Mexico City from several tourist destinations.

Why are people dying here? They didn't get help soon enough. Some showed up at hospitals well over ten days after they first showed symptoms.

Should you panic? Nah, 36K people die in the US alone from seasonal flu. We have 150 deaths so no panic.

More questions? Shoot

[sianeth]

Update, US reports first Swine Flu death...

BBC News

[skylab]

So apparently all outside countries are advising to stay away from the US, Canada, and Mexico